This weekend Leroy and I set out on our first hike together this fall. I have been wanting to start hiking with Leroy for a few months now because many of our blogging friends have inspired us to get out there and hike, and with the temps cooling down here this weekend was perfect for us to get started.
For obvious reasons, Leroy and I hiking together is a questionable venture. Our tainted past and misuse of our brains has left us, as a team, to be known as incompetent by certain people of our household.
We’re like the best friends that shouldn’t be best friends because trouble seeks them out and finds them.
Whatever. That’s not going to stop us.
So anyway, on our first hike together this Saturday I learned some valuable lessons along away.
1. I am not as fit as I think I am
2. Going down a big hill is a lot more fun than going up a big hill
3. Leroy is stronger than me no matter how much I want to believe otherwise. He outweighs me by 35 pounds and going down a hill with him is fun!!! It’s best to just go with the flow rather than show resistance.
4. We are not ready to go off trail yet for a few reasons. Going off trail the day after you were in the woods shooting paintballs at zombies is not a good idea when you have an overactive imagination. I realize that I am a grown adult but I would of felt better going off the trail if I had my paintball gun with me because Leroy is not trained on how to kill zombies, yet.
5. Leroy and I are not in sync yet. When we come to an area that puts us in a predicament, like an area that is not big enough for the both of us to cross side by side because one of us is bound to end up in the sewer, we can’t decide who gets to go first. Age before beauty or beauty before before age? and if it’s age- is that in dog years or human years? and why in either case am I still older?
6. When you stop to take a break going up that big hill that was so much fun to go down because your thigh muscles are burning and your dog has slowed to a near turtle pace, it is not, I repeat, it is NOT a good idea to call your husband and tell him that you and Leroy are lost in the woods. He does think that is funny because he warned you to stay on the trail before you left and now you are both grounded.
The Monday Mischief Pet Bloghop
Welcome to Monday Mischief – The pet blog hop that wraps up the weekend! This Blog Hop is brought to you by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, My Brown Newfies and Luna, A Dog’s Life
Sam says:
BOL – I thought I was the only one who had an over active imagination. I can scare myself in our backyard!
Sam
Jen says:
Ha-ha! I promise, you are not alone! My imagination is sometimes out of control!
Daisy says:
Surely Leroy can pull you up the hills! What a funny adventure. We assume you found your way back home. Sorry, we’re laughing.
XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy
Jen says:
Leroy could pull me up hills if he wanted too, however, he had other important things on his mind like what tree to pee on next! I did find my way home, eventually!
Hawk aka BrownDog says:
Hi Y’all!
Can’t imagine the damage you can do to your person, Leroy! I’ve done some mean damage to my Human and I don’t outweigh her, but she doesn’t outweigh me by much.
Y’all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Jen says:
Leroy has done plenty of damage to me in the past-not on purpose of course just on accident which is why adventures are always just that with me and him:)
Urban Hounds says:
I can only imagine being pulled down a hill by Leroy, it must be lie roller coaster ride. Our little guy Weasley can make me slip and he only weighs 20 lbs
urban hounds
Jen says:
LOL, it was like a roller coaster ride! Thankfully it wasn’a loop one!
Misaki says:
You should’ve jumped on Leeroy’s back and got him to carry you up the hill BOL
Jen says:
Ha-ha! I should of made him pull me a cart, one which had brakes of course:)
emma says:
Glad you got out and did some hiking – it is good for both of you. In Germany mom hiked with us dogs all over in the woods and only got lost once – had to ask a stranger for help on how to find home again. We dogs knew all along but she did not know if she could trust us to lead her home or to the nearest wabbit hole!
Jen says:
Oh no! Sorry that your Mom got lost, sounds very similiar:))) I think Leroy has a better sense of direction than me since he leaves his mark everywhere!
melF says:
OMD. Grounded. Way too funny!
I have an overactive imagination too. I always imagine myself getting lost in the woods, even when I stick to the trail.
Jen says:
LOL! I knew I should of stuck to the trail. Every voice in my head was telling me Stay on the Trail-you have no sense of direction!
Tylersat99 says:
Looks like you and Leroy got a good start! Yes it gives the legs a terrific workout, especially All the muscles you didn’t know you had, lol. Did Leroy enjoy his hike? BTW use a compass;)
Jen says:
Leroy really did enjoy his hike and we can’t wait to get out there again!
I must look into a compass:)
Eva or sometimes Priscilla says:
I can imagine that it would be me who pulled our princess Eva up the hill and then she would gait elegantly when we came down the hill.
I miss hiking with big dogs which I used to do with Laura and I would be pulled up and down the hill.
Glad both of you are safe and sound at home now : )
Jen says:
I think we would of been better off starting at the bottom of the hill rather than at the top! I’ll try that next time!
Jodi says:
OMD Jen, you have to teach Leroy ‘easy’ cause let me tell you, you CAN slip on leaves going down a hill. Easy has been a lifesaver for me.
And by the way, you crack me up.
Jen says:
You mean I shouldn’t use “slow the hell down Leroy?” lol:)))
Roxy the traveling dog says:
That’s too funny. Practice makes perfect though, so keep on trekking.
Jen says:
I am hoping that we will be able to get out to hike in the park at least once a week, maybe more in the winter!
Rebelwerewolf says:
Your hike looks beautiful! We’ve been meaning to take Badger and Mushroom hiking, but it’s been raining, and we’re lazy, and excuses, excuses. =P
Jen says:
I hear you! I have been wanting to do this for quite some time but it was either too hot or raining, or there was no time.
Taryn says:
I learned that same “not-as-fit-as-I-thought” lesson this weekend, too! Hopefully it motivates me to up my daily exercise!
Jen says:
I know! I thought walking everyday was a good exercise! The hills killed me, my thighs still hurt!
Two French Bulldogs says:
What a great hike Leroy. You sure learned some good things
Benny & Lily
Jen says:
We both lived and learned!
Blueberry's human says:
I completely agree with 1 and 2! I am glad that Blueberry and I are pretty in sync when it comes to reaching a narrow part of the trail.
That’s so funny -you must train Leroy at once to fend off Zombies lest you should encounter some unprepared!
Do you make Leroy carry his own water?
Jen says:
You and Blueberry make a great team and do so much hiking! I bet Leroy and I could learn from the both of you!
Gina@dawsondogs.com says:
Way to go getting out there hiking. Missy has saved my boys many times on hikes. She keeps us all going.
Jen says:
Awww, that is so wonderful to hear that Missy is such an inspiration!
Bassetmomma says:
Ha!Ha! I’m sure the thought of this hike sounded all wonderful and magical at the time. Amazing how thinking about something and actually doing it can bring such different results! LOL!
Jen says:
LOL! It did all look so picture perfect in my head!
Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning says:
How funny! Well, we think we can assume you found your way home since your are posting this. Dad won’t let Mom go off the beaten trail – she would be lost for sure.
We have to do a hill whenever we walk, no way out of our street without one. Usually we hit three hills along the way, multiply that by two walks a day, two dogs at a time, and you can imagine the burning thighs here.
Woos – Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning
Jen says:
OMD! All those hills twice a day? You must need a nice leg massage every night!
jet says:
Hey Leroy, Hey Sherman, Jet here. Hi Miss Jen.
We LOVED today’s post. Leroy, glad Miss Jen got you out onto the trails. Perhaps next time a compass??? BOL… we wish we had trails to visit…
Jen says:
Thanks Jet! I think a compass may be in our near future!
SUGAR: goldenwoofs says:
Woof! Woof! Oh I could have helped. I am great in directions no need of a compass or other gadgets. Golden LAUGHS.Happy MM. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
Jen says:
I sure wish Leroy had your sense of direction Sugar!
kristi says:
Dixie has offered to go with you and protect you…..she is an excellent hiker regardless of her short legs & she will nip at your heels if you are going to slow!
Jen says:
Dixie only knows how to hike on the farm:))))
Nichole says:
What do you mean Leroy is not trained to attack Zombies yet? I thought ALL big dogs have this instinct? No??? Uh-oh……….
Jen says:
LOL! Not Leroy, they forget to add the zombie killer genes when they made him:))
Jackie says:
Funny. Our last pup was such a puller, it was great hiking with her on the up hills. Not so much on the down hills!
Jen says:
Ha-ha! I wish Leroy would of pulled up the hill!
Flea says:
BWAHAHAHAHAhA! I’m laughing with you, not at you. Really. Wait. I mean, I’m laughing with your husband. And mostly because I know that I’d be far worse off if it had been me.
Jen says:
LOL! I am thinking that you and I would not make a very good team out in the wild:)))
Bailey says:
What a great hike! We don’t usually go hiking, so I have to settle for walks around the neighborhood!
Happy Monday!
Woofs & huggies, <3
~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)
Jen says:
We normally walk around the neighborhood here too, but every once in awhile I like to switch things up!:)
24 Paws of Love says:
Too funny Jen. I have a harder time going downhill that I do up. I just let the dogs pull me up hill. Downhill is a little trickier. I love your little adventures. I can so see myself in them.
Jen says:
Thanks:) Downhill is definitely trickier with the big dogs, especially when they are excited!
2 brown dawgs says:
Best to avoid big hills at all costs. Maybe you and Leroy could walk around them? lol Sounds like a nice hike. I am sure you will be in sync in no time.
Jen says:
Walking around may be an option next time!
caren gittleman says:
loved the part (I won’t quote it perfectly) about best friends being best friends that shouldn’t be because trouble finds them lol!!
Wish I were still in Cleveland…I’d hike with BOTH of you ANY DAY!
Jen says:
OMD! That would be awesome to go for a hike with you and Dakota!
Misty Shores Chesapeakes says:
Oh my gosh you are so funny and I laughed out loud at the zombie remark. But seriously be careful! I can not wait for more hiking updates
Jen says:
I think I need a few weeks for my legs to recover, but then we should be able to hit the trail again, maybe minus the hill:)
houndstooth says:
Ha ha ha ha ha! Oh my gosh! Thank you for a great giggle! If it makes you feel better, I can relate to a a lot the things you pointed out, and there is NO way I’d call my husband if I thought I was lost.
Jen says:
But you are the hiking expert! Do mean these things happen to other people too?:)))
Jessica @ YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner says:
I prefer going up over going down because I have bad knees. Glad you guys were able to get out because nature is fun
Roo says:
Well I’d say y’all did rather well together
Luv the Zombies in the woods BOL!
Waggin at ya,
Roo